Interactive energy effect attraction

ABSTRACT

An interactive energy effect system that includes one or more sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of a position of a user-associated object in the system. The signal indicative of the position of the user-associated object in the system is then received by a system controller that is configured to generate a first and second set of instructions based on the signal. The system controller then transmits the first instructions to an energy emission system to cause the energy emission system to reposition and activate an energy emitter. The system controller then transmits the second instructions to a multi-layer display system to cause the multi-layer display system to move towards or away from the user-associated object.

BACKGROUND

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects ofart that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques,which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed tobe helpful in providing the reader with background information tofacilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statementsare to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

Amusement parks and other entertainment venues contain, among many otherattractions, immersive areas where guests can interact with anattraction through a handheld object, such as a themed prop or toy. Forexample, an immersive area may be designed for use with a handheld propor object that enables a guest to perform actions, such as swinging asword or throwing a ball. The guest actions with the handheld objectsmay result in visible effects within the immersive area that are tied tothe guest's own actions, facilitating a more realistic experience. Whilesuch techniques may provide more entertainment for the guest, it ispresently recognized that advancements may be made to further immersethe guest within the particular attraction, ride, or interactiveexperience. For example, the user-associated object, implemented as ahandheld or portable device, may have limited on-board capability toprovide discernible feedback during an interactive experience.Accordingly, the guest may not perceive the visible effects of theinteractive experience as emanating or being linked to their particularobject. As such, it is now recognized that it is desirable to improvethe effects linked to and/or emanating from a guest's own handheldobject within an immersive area.

SUMMARY

Certain embodiments commensurate in scope with the originally claimedsubject matter are summarized below. These embodiments are not intendedto limit the scope of the disclosure, but rather these embodiments areintended only to provide a brief summary of certain disclosedembodiments. Indeed, the present disclosure may encompass a variety offorms that may be similar to or different from the embodiments set forthbelow.

In an embodiment, an interactive energy effect system includes one ormore sensors configured to generate a signal indicative of a position ofa user-associated object. The interactive energy effect system alsoincludes a system controller configured to receive the signal. Thesystem controller is configured to generate first instructions andsecond instructions based on the signal, and transmit the firstinstructions to an energy emission system to cause the energy emissionsystem to reposition and activate an energy emitter. Additionally, theinteractive energy effect system includes transmitting the secondinstructions to a multi-layer display system to cause the multi-layerdisplay system to move towards or away from the user-associated object.

In an embodiment, a method of operating an interactive energy effectsystem includes receiving, via a system controller, userassociated-object position data, generating, via the system controller,instructions based on the position data, receiving the instructions at amovement controller, and directing movement of an energy emitter basedon the instructions. Additionally, the method includes directingemission of energy from the energy emitter based on the instructions,receiving, via an additional movement controller, the communication, anddirecting, via the additional movement controller, movement of amulti-layer display system to intercept the energy emission at apredetermined location based on the position data.

In an embodiment, an interactive energy effect system includes an energyemitter, a display system, and a system controller configured toreceive, from one or more position sensors, position data of a userassociated object, and generate first instructions to orient the energyemitter relative to the display system based on the position data. Thesystem controller also receives updated position data of the user or theuser-associated object via the position sensors, wherein the updatedposition data is indicative of a motion pattern performed by the user orby the user-associated object. Additionally, the system controller isconfigured to identify the motion pattern in the position data, andgenerate second instructions based on the identified motion pattern tocause the display system to move towards the user-associated object oraway from the user-associated object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood when the following detaileddescription is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in whichlike characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of an interactiveenergy effect attraction according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of an interactiveenergy effect attraction according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a side view of an embodimentof the interactive energy effect system according to embodiments of thedisclosure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a cross sectional view of themulti-layer display system according to embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a top view of a single userembodiment of the interactive energy effect system according toembodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the interactive energy effect attractionaccording to embodiments of the disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a method of operation of the interactive energyeffect system according to embodiments of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more specific embodiments will be described below. In an effortto provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all featuresof an actual implementation are described in the specification. Itshould be appreciated that in the development of any such actualimplementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerousimplementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve thedevelopers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints which may vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a developmenteffort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be aroutine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

When introducing elements of various embodiments of the presentdisclosure, the articles “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean thatthere are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising,”“including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean thatthere may be additional elements other than the listed elements.Additionally, it should be understood that references to “oneembodiment” or “an embodiment” of the present disclosure are notintended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additionalembodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

Amusement park attractions may include user-associated objects thatusers can interact with to provide input to and trigger feedback from aninteractive experience. However, the objects themselves, in the interestof portability and cost, may be generally passive and lack observablefeedback tied to the user interaction. In certain themed environments,the user-associated object may be used as a themed weapon within theenvironment. Generating immersive weapon effects of a user-associatedobject that appear to emanate from the object itself may be challengingto implement. For example, a user-associated object implemented as aportable handheld device may not carry sufficient on-board power tocreate a medium or long range high intensity energy beam and/or tosimulate a variety of different energy beam effects using a singledevice. In other examples, it may be desirable for an immersiveenvironment to facilitate an illusion that a user can generate energyeffects using only their hands.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to systems andmethods for use in conjunction with an interactive energy effectattraction. Such systems and methods may be used, for example, as partof an immersive area, a themed environment, a battle attraction, or rideattraction in an amusement park. In accordance with present embodiments,an amusement park attraction tracks movements of a user or auser-associated object and, based on the tracked movements, creates anenergy effect illusion that appears to emanate from user and/or theobject itself. The present techniques include an energy emission systemthat is separate from the user or the user-associated object but that,when active, emits energy in a manner that enhances the illusion thatthe energy is shooting out from the user-associated object. In anembodiment, the present techniques may include a surface having anintegral energy attractor to guide the emitted energy towards thesurface. The surface may operate as a display device to display mediacontent that exaggerates or enhances the energy effect. In anembodiment, the energy effect is a plasma or lightning effect.

By implementing an energy effect illusion in which a user's motiondirectly facilitates energy emission, a more immersive experience can becreated. The output of energy from the energy emitter of the systemenables the user to visually observe activation of the user-associatedobject and its output as directed by user motion. For example, presentembodiments may employ sensing systems that sense motion of theuser-associated object over time, and update energy emission outputbased on user motion. This enables the user to observe, in real time, anenergy output corresponding to user motion, which facilitates animmersive experience for the user. Further, an energy emitter can bepositioned and/or oriented to account for changes in position of theuser to maintain the illusion, and the displayed media content can alsodynamically update based on user actions.

The users may interact with the energy emission system in a battlescenario, wherein multiple users can interact with the environment,e.g., using respective user-associated objects, to trigger the energyeffect. In other embodiments, a single user may interact with a prop orshow object within an attraction.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an interactive energy effect system 10 of anamusement attraction includes a user-associated object 14, an energyemission system 12, a multi-layer display system 16, and othercomponents. Although illustrated as within a battle-type environment, itshould be understood that the interactive energy effect system may beutilized to entertain users 18 in any suitable entertainmentenvironment, such as a dark ride, an outdoor arena, an environmentadjacent to a ride path of a ride vehicle carrying the users 18, and soforth.

In the illustrated embodiment, the users 18 are arranged facing oropposing one another. Notably, the user/s 18 are physically separatedfrom the energy emission system 12 by a light transmissive ortransparent barrier 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the users 18 arein respective user areas 19 in which each user 18 (e.g., a user of thesystem 10, a guest in the attraction) can move about freely behind thetransparent barrier 20 that physically separates the user from theenergy emission system 12, e.g., that extends at least partly between afloor and ceiling of the user area 19. Positioned between the user areas19 is the energy emission system 12 that operates to control energyemission from an energy emitter 22 that is disposed between therespective transparent barriers 20.

The energy emission system 12 facilitates emission of visible energyemission effects, which may be plasma bolts 26, as in the illustratedembodiment, or other visible energy effects, such as light beams,electrical effects, lighting effects, media projection effects,augmented reality effects, pyrotechnics, vapor effects, or anycombination thereof from the respective energy emitters 22. The energyemitter, in an embodiment, may include a Tesla coil gun that, inoperation, emits visible energy bolts or arcs, e.g., referred to as theplasma bolts 26, using a double-tuned resonant transformer to producehigh voltages at low currents. As depicted, the plasma bolts 26 areemitted towards and impinge the multi-layer display system 16. Themulti-layer display system 16 may include a metallic layer that attractsor directs the emitted energy to enhance the effect. The energy emissionsystem 12 can simulate a battle scenario between multiple users 18, eachcontained in the respective user area 19, while still visible to theother through the transparent barrier 20 and the at least partiallytransparent multi-layer display system 16. The user-associated object 14facilitates interaction between the user 18 and energy effect emissionduring battle, and the user motions, e.g., via the user-associatedobject 14, trigger activation and control of one or both of the energyemission system 12 and the multi-layer display system 16.

In an embodiment, the user 18 performs a motion, e.g., using theuser-associated object 14 or a hand motion, corresponding to a battlemove or specific gesture to initiate the battle scenario. The energyemitters 22 then emit energy according to user's motion, and themulti-layer display system 16 displays effects and enhances energyemission visualization in the battle scenario by displaying animations,audio, or visual effects via a display screen. In one example, the usermotion activates the energy emitter 22 from an off state to an on stateor vice versa. In another example the user motion, such as moving theuser-associated object 14 to the left, causes the energy emitter 22 tocorrespondingly orient towards the left while emitting energy. Inanother example, particular types of user motions can change the aim ofthe emitted energy, an emission focus of the emitted energy, anintensity of the emitted energy, a color of the visible plasma bolts 26,and/or the concurrently displayed media on the multi-layer displaysystem 16.

It should be noted that each user area 19 is associated with a dedicatedenergy emitter 22 of the energy emission system 12. The transparentbarrier 20 facilitates visibility of the user 18 and the user-associatedobject 14 to an opponent. It should also be appreciated that themulti-layer display system 16 can display battle updates, present theuser 18 with feedback on performance and accuracy of motion of theuser-associated object 14, and enable the user 18 to receive results ofthe battle simulation. The updated feedback provided by the multi-layerdisplay system 16 enables the user 18 to trigger actions of the energyemission system 12 and observe the effect of the motion of theuser-associated object 14 directing the plasma bolts 26 emitted from theenergy emitter 22.

For example, the user 18 in the user area 19 in FIG. 1 could be promptedto perform a specific gesture or move with the user-associated object 14via the multi-layer display system 16. The other user 18 in another userarea 19 is also prompted to perform a specific gesture or move withtheir user-associated object 14. The energy emitter 22 for eachrespective user area 19 is directed (e.g., dynamically positioned andsteered) based on performance of gesture by each user 18, to emit theplasma bolts 26. The users 18 observe the plasma bolts 26 launched fromeach of the users 18, energy emitters 22, which may be emitted incertain color or intensity variations based on the user's performance,user profile, or expressions/movements as captured by sensors of thesystem 10. The multi-layer display system 16, e.g., that includes atransparent OLED display screen, can then move towards or away from therespective user area 19 based on performance, and display updates to theusers 18 including which user 18 performed gestures more accurately, andthe stats or previous history of each user 18.

FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the interactive energy effect system 10of FIG. 1 showing the mechanical tracks that facilitate movement of theenergy emitter 22 and the multi-layer display system 16 based on theuser 18 interaction with the energy emission system 12. The movement ofthe energy emitter 22 during the user 18 interaction is facilitatedthrough an emitter track 36 to which the energy emitter 22 is coupled.The emitter track 36 is disposed within the energy emission system 12proximate to the user area 19. The emitter track 36 facilitates lateralor orbital (along a hemispherical or annular track) movement of theenergy emitter 22 along the track, e.g., as shown by arrows 38. Themovement of the energy emitter 22 laterally along the emitter track 36corresponds to the movements conducted by the user 18. As the user 18moves freely within the user area 19, the energy emitter 22 moveslaterally to a position that corresponds to the user 18 position so thatthe energy emitter 22 and the user 18 are substantially aligned alongthe emitter track 36. This movement is dynamic and activated by the user18 movement. The emitter track 36 may extend along a dimension borderingthe user area 19 so that, no matter where the user 18 moves within theuser area 19, the energy emitter 22 can align in at least one plane withthe user 18. The system 10 may operate to align the energy emitter 22with the user 18 torso, head, designated operating hand (e.g.,spell-casting hand), or with an extending end or tip 42 of theuser-associated object (e.g., a ray gun, a wand, a nozzle, a sword)along the emitter track 36. The user 18 positioning of theuser-associated object 14 in the x-plane facilitates the energy emitter22 movement laterally about the emitter track 36. The user's 18 abilityto direct the energy emitter 22 through positioning of theiruser-associated object 14 further facilitates an interactive effectexperience.

The movement of the user-associated object 14 is detected through one ormore sensors, such as position sensors 50. In an embodiment, theposition sensors 50 are oriented to capture movements of each user 18.The collected position data generated from the position sensors 50 isthen transmitted via sensor signals to a controller of the system 10.The position sensors 50 can include computer vision sensors (e.g.,cameras), depth cameras, Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) devices,motion sensors, and light sensors, radio frequency (RF) sensors thatreceive a uniquely identifying RF signal from a user-associated objecthaving a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, optical sensors andso forth. In an embodiment, the user-associated object 14 is passive,and the position data is based on image or other captured data from theposition sensors 50 of the user-associated object 14 or the user's handwhen no user-associated object 14 is employed. In one embodiment, theuser-associated object includes a marker, such as a retroreflectivemarker, that facilitates identification of the tip 42 of theuser-associated object 14 within the sensor data. In another embodiment,the user-associated object 14 may communicate position data, includingorientation data, or object identification data to the system 10 throughwireless transmissions from an RFID tag, or any combination thereof.

Position data captured by the position sensors 50 further facilitatestracking of the user-associated object 14, and enables efficientcollection of motion data and user identification data. For example, ifa first user 18 a and a second user 18 b are competing in a battlescenario, the first user 18 a may position their user-associated objecttip 42 a left of center during the motion or gesture performed with theuser-associated object 14 a. The position sensors 50 are then able touse the motion data of the user-associated object 14 a of the first user18 a to generate instructions to control movement along the emittertrack 36 to position the energy emitter 22 left of center via movementalong the emitter track 36 laterally, e.g. as shown by the arrows 38.The energy emitter 22 is then positioned to release energy, shown as theplasma bolts 26, from a position corresponding to the position of theuser-associated object 14 a during movement or gesture by the first user18 a. A similar positioning process occurs for the second user 18 bduring the battle scenario; with respect to motion or gesture of theuser-associated object 14 b performed by the second user 18 b. This datais used to position the second user's 18 b energy emitter. The positionof the energy emitter 22 for each respective user 18 corresponds to eachuser's motion with their user-associated object 14. This creates adynamic battle experience with energy emitters 22 that follow the users18 movement.

In addition to movement of the emitters 22 of the energy emission system12, the multi-layer display system 16 may also be repositioned inresponse to user actions. The multi-layer display system 16 is coupledto a display track 44, which facilitates movement of the multi-layerdisplay system 16 in at least one plane of motion. The display track 44facilitates movement in the z-plane towards or away from the user 18 asdemonstrated by arrows 46, and, in certain embodiments, in the y-planeto facilitate up or down movement. The ability of the multi-layerdisplay system 16 to shift towards a certain user 18 in the z-planefacilitates communication of battle information to the user 18 (e.g.user recognition of progress, how well the user is performing theassociated movements, and status of user in battle in a battle scenario)who activated the movement of the multi-layer display system 16.

The display movement and coordinated display content is dynamic andbased on the user 18 actions to enhance the user experience. Forexample, in a battle scenario, the first user 18 a and the second user18 b simultaneously perform respective motions or gestures, e.g., usingtheir hands or with the user-associated object 14. The position sensors50 collect the first user 18 a and the second user 18 b motion data(e.g., position data tracked over time) and the system assesses themotion data to generate control instructions to move one or both of themulti-layer display system 16 and the energy emitter 22. The positiondata transmitted by the position sensors 50, directs the multi-layerdisplay system 16 to move in the z-plane as shown by the arrows 46 (e.g.closer or farther from the user 18). Thus, as the battle progresses, themulti-layer display system 16 can be moved along the display track 44away from whichever user 18 is determined to be winning or the strongercompetitor according to the assessment techniques disclosed herein. Themulti-layer display system 16 can receive energy impacts from users 18that directly face each other and, at the initiation of the battle, maybe positioned at an approximately equal distance from each user area 19.Moving the multi-layer display system 16 towards a particular user 18,and thus the received energy impact of both energy emitters 22, createsthe effect of the energy being closer to the user 18 and losing abattle. Further, the multi-layer display system 16 may display mediacontent that augments the energy emission effects to cause the impact toappear brighter or larger as the multi-layer display system 16 movestowards a particular user 18.

For example, if the second user 18 b performed the gesture moreaccurately, the multi-layer display system 16, directed by the motiondata, would move farther from the second user 18 b via the display track44, e.g. the arrows 46. This movement relays to the second user 18 bthat they have performed better in the scenario because the multi-layerdisplay system 16 intercepts the plasma bolt emission 26. Thus, the user18 who performed the gesture more accurately, in this example the seconduser 18 b, can observe the impact of movement of the multi-layer displaysystem 16 when the second user energy emitter 22 is able to shoot energya farther distance than their opponent's energy based on a respectivedistance of each user 18 to the multi-layer display system 16. Themulti-layer display system 16 can also indicate battle status throughthe display screen included in the multi-layer display system 16.

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the interactive energy effect system10 showing an embodiment of coordinated movement and steering of theenergy emission system 12 towards a target 52 on the multi-layer displaysystem 16 based on the position/orientation of the user-associatedobject 14. The system receives the position data based on the user 18motion, e.g., movement of the user-associated object 14 corresponding toa desired gesture or motion that is tracked via the position sensors 50.The position sensors 50 determine the position of user-associated objectin the user area 19. The position sensors 50 then transmit the positiondata, and the system identifies a hypothetical path of the energyemission (e.g., target path 56) and the target position 52 on themulti-layer display system 16. This target position 52 is where theenergy would impact the multi-layer display if emanating directly fromthe user-associated object 14. The energy emitter 22 is then controlledto be oriented or aimed towards the target position 52 on themulti-layer display system 16 to align the path of energy emission tothe orientation and position of the user-associated object 14 and to hitthe target position 52. The ability of the energy emitter 22 to adjustthe emission target to correspond to the user-associated object 14orientation and position creates the illusion that energy is shootingout from the user-associated object 14 and that the user 18 iscontrolling and aiming energy emission. This illusion enables the user18 to have an immersive experience wherein the user 18 perceives theenergy as emanating out of their user-associated object 14 and resultingfrom the position the user 18 selected for the user-associated object.

For example, if the user 18 positions their user-associated object 14 ata certain angle, the position sensor 50 can collect position data of theuser-associated object 14 and use this data to project a target path 56and target position 52 on the multi-layer display system 16. The targetposition 52 is used to generate control instructions to the energyemitter 22 and, in embodiments, to direct the energy emitter 22laterally via the emitter track 36 and/or tilt the energy emitter 22 upor down (e.g., arrows 54) to an orientation that will cause emittedenergy to intercept the target position 52 on the multi-layer display16. This creates the illusion that the energy emission is comingdirectly from the user-associated object 14, and that the user 18 isdirecting the effect emission. The user 18 position information mayinclude the absolute position in space, changes in position,orientation, and changes in orientation. For example, for a wand or gunshaped user-associated object 14, the system 10 may acquire theorientation based on estimating an axis extending through two points(e.g., the tip 42 and an interior point 58) on the user-associatedobject 14 or by using data from an orientation sensor on theuser-associated object 14. In the depicted embodiment, the target path56 is aligned along the long axis of the user-associated object 14. Theuser-associated object 14 may also include a visible marker that isresolvable by the position sensor 50 and from which the orientation canbe estimated. In an embodiment, the user-associated object 14 mayinclude an orientation sensor that transmits orientation information toa controller of the system 10.

The multi-layer display system 16 may include features that enhance theimmersive experience. FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of themulti-layer display system 16 that receives energy emitted from theenergy emitter 22. The multi-layer display system 16 includes one ormore transparent or transmissive layers that permit observation andinteraction in battle scenarios with multiple users 18. The multi-layerdisplay system 16 includes an exterior layer 60, an intermediate layer62, and an interior layer 64. In the present embodiment, the exteriorlayer 60 may be a clear glass or polymer layer, such as a transparentmetallic glass, with material properties (e.g., resistant, light inweight) for durability and electrical conductivity. In an embodiment,the exterior layer 60 includes metal additives or components tofacilitate conductivity. The exterior layer 60 enables the multi-layerdisplay system 16 to absorb impact of bolt emissions. The intermediatelayer 62 may include a transparent metal sheet (e.g., transparentaluminum glass). The metallic sheet of the intermediate layer 62facilitates plasma attraction from the energy emitter 22 and enablestargeting of the plasma bolt 26 to the multi-layer display system 16.The metallic sheet may be present in an array throughout theintermediate layer 62, or present in discontinuous regions throughoutthe intermediate layer 62 to target impacts at particular locations onthe multi-layer display system 16. The metallic sheet of theintermediate layer 62 may also include a selectively conductive metallicsheet material (e.g. conductive components that may turned on and offvia system commands). The intermediate metallic layer 62 facilitatesdirection of the plasma bolt 26. This attraction process permits theenergy emission to be directed according to desired placement based onthe user-associated object motion 14 as discussed above in FIG. 3.

The interior layer 64 may be implemented as a display screen, e.g., anOLED display that operates to display media content that enhances theuser experience. The OLED display screen can display instructions toperform a specific motion or gesture and provide feedback to the user 18based on the assessment or accuracy of the gesture performed by theuser-associated object 14. The screen can display battle informationenabling the multiple users 18 in a battle scenario to view battleperformance, past battle statistics, and other battle information. TheOLED display screen feedback is beneficial for the users 18 to interactwith an opponent while also displaying an enhanced emission effect inaddition to the energy emission from the energy emitter 22.

The disclosed embodiments may be used to implement a battle attractionwith two or more participants. In addition, the interactive energyeffect system 10 may be used to facilitate energy effects with aninteractive environment. FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment in which oneor more users 18 can interact with a show prop 68 or other interactiveelement within the environment. Accordingly, the user 18 may interact toemit energy towards the show prop 68. The show prop 68 can include arobotic device, display screen, special effect system, or anycombination thereof that produces a special effect audibly, haptically,visually, or otherwise. The show prop 68 receives communication tooutput a certain action or effect based on the user-associated object 14movement performed by the user 18. The show prop 68 facilitates effectsor status updates to the user 18 along with the OLED display screen ofthe multi-layer display system 16. For example, the user 18 can make amovement or gesture using the user-associated object 14. The show prop68 can receive commands based on the motion to emit an effect orreaction based on a received command and may, in certain embodiments,act as the opponent in the battle scenario.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the interactive energy effect system 10.The system 10 includes a system controller 70 having a memory device 72and a processor 76 which can include multiple microprocessors, one ormore “general-purpose” microprocessors, one or more special-purposemicroprocessors, and/or one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), or some combination thereof. For example, theprocessor 76 may include one or more reduced instruction set computer(RISC) processors. The memory device 72 may include volatile memory,such as random access memory (RAM), and/or nonvolatile memory, such asread-only memory (ROM). The memory device 72 may store information, suchas control software (e.g., control algorithms). The communication isthen wirelessly transmitted from the system controller 70 to the energyemission system 12.

The system controller 70 is in communication with one or more positionsensors 50, the energy emission system 12, and the multi-layer displaysystem 16. Based on inputs from the position sensor 50, and in certainembodiments from the user-associated object 14, motion of the user 18and/or the user-associated object 14 is detected and processed by thesystem controller 70 to generate instructions for a movement controller80 of the energy emission system 12. The instructions cause the movementcontroller 80 to move the energy emitter 22 laterally and/or tilt in anupwards or downwards direction based off commands sent by the systemcontroller 70 and received by the movement controller 80. Theinstructions may activate a motor assembly 82 of the energy emissionsystem 12 to drive the movement of the energy emitter 22. The typeand/or intensity of energy emitted can be controlled via an energydriver 84, and can be determined based on commands sent by the systemcontroller 70 to include energy specifics, e.g. a specific emissionfocus of the emitted energy, a specific intensity of the emitted energy,or a specific color of the emitted energy. In addition, the systemcontroller 70 communicates instructions generated based on the processedmotion data of the user-associated object 14 to a movement controller 88of the multi-layer display system 16. The multi-layer display system 16receives the instructions based on the user-associated object 14 motiondata and facilitates the movement controller 88 to direct the movingdisplay farther from or closer to the user 18 in the z-plane dependingon accuracy of the user 18 motion of the user-associated object 14.

The system controller 70 may assess the motion data (e.g., positiondata) of the user 18 or user-associated object 14 to control movementand display content of the multi-layer display system 16. In oneembodiment, the motion data may be compared to a stored set of motionsand assessed for accuracy based on preset quality metrics. The accuracymay be a determination of whether the motion data matches a storedmotion and, if matching, the system 10 generates a set of instructionsbased on the matching and, if no match is present, the system 10initiates another set of instructions. In one example, the assessmentmay factor in stored profile data associated with the user 18. Theassessment may be based on the user 18 or the user-associated object 14aligning with or intercepting one or more absolute points in space todetermine if a weapon is aimed accurately. The assessment may alsoinclude individualized accuracy of motion analysis, wherein the system10 can analyze differences in the users 18 perception of eye-hand-targetorientation and apply these differences to the analysis of the user 18movement.

For example, the movement controller 88 is sent commands by the systemcontroller 70 to move the multi-layer display system 16 via a motorassembly 90 in the z-plane to a distance farther from the user 18 whoperformed the gesture more accurately. This signals to the user 18 thatthey have performed better than their competitor has, and is a visualrepresentation of the users 18 performance in the battle. Themulti-layer display system 16 also communicates guest interactivefeedback or battle feedback through projections on the display screencontained in the system. A display controller 86 is sent commands viathe system controller 70 based on accuracy of motion data, and willprocess and display specific feedback to guest on the OLED displayscreen included in the multi-layer display system 16.

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a method 100 of controlling components ofthe system 10. In block 101, the system 10, e.g., the system controller70, receives position data from one or more position sensors 50. Theposition data is related to guest motion or motion of theuser-associated object 14 over time. In a multi-user embodiment, asdemonstrated in FIG. 1, both of the users 18 are completing motions orcommands via the user's 18 respective user-associated object 14. Theposition sensors 50 facilitate detection of multiple users, or a singleuser's motion with their user-associated object 14. The position sensors50 then communicate the position information over time, e.g., motiondata, to the system controller 70 that receives and processes the motiondata and sends commands to the energy emission system 12 and themulti-layer display system 16. The motion data collected by the positionsensors 50 may be used to activate the energy emission system 12, andactivate a display on the multi-layer display system 16 as shown inblocks 102 and 104. The position sensors 50 continue to monitor changesin position of the user-associated object 14 over time throughout theuser interactive experience as shown in block 106. The data is thenprocessed and transmitted to the energy emission system 12, and commandsare sent to update the energy emitter's 22 emitted energy and locationbased on the accuracy of user movement and position of theuser-associated object 14 as shown in block 108. The change in energyemitted can cause variation in the plasma bolts 26, and the energyemitter 22 can emit the plasma bolts 26 in multiple ranges of color ordifferent intensities so the user 18 can identify individual emission ifin a multi-user scenario. The multi-layer display system also updatesscreen displays throughout the user experience, and moves the display inthe y-plane and z-plane according to accuracy of the user-associatedobject 14 motion data as demonstrated in block 110.

While only certain features of the disclosure have been illustrated anddescribed herein, many modifications and changes will occur to thoseskilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appendedclaims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fallwithin the true spirit of the disclosure. It should be appreciated thatany of the features illustrated or described with respect to the figuresdiscussed above may be combined in any suitable manner.

The techniques presented and claimed herein are referenced and appliedto material objects and concrete examples of a practical nature thatdemonstrably improve the present technical field and, as such, are notabstract, intangible or purely theoretical. Further, if any claimsappended to the end of this specification contain one or more elementsdesignated as “means for [perform]ing [a function] . . . ” or “step for[perform]ing [a function] . . . ”, it is intended that such elements areto be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f). However, for any claimscontaining elements designated in any other manner, it is intended thatsuch elements are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).

1. An interactive energy effect system, the interactive energy effectsystem comprising: one or more sensors configured to generate a signalindicative of a position of a user-associated object; a systemcontroller configured to receive the signal and configured to: generatefirst instructions and second instructions based on the signal; transmitthe first instructions to an energy emission system to cause the energyemission system to reposition and activate an energy emitter; andtransmit the second instructions to a multi-layer display system tocause the multi-layer display system to move towards or away from theuser-associated object.
 2. The interactive energy effect system of claim1, wherein the one or more sensors comprise image sensors, radiofrequency sensors, optical sensors, or any combination thereof.
 3. Theinteractive energy effect system of claim 1, wherein the energy emittercomprises a plasma gun or a Tesla coil gun.
 4. The interactive energyeffect system of claim 3, wherein the first instructions compriseinstructions to set a focus of emitted energy, set an intensity of theemitted energy, set a color of the emitted energy, or any combinationthereof.
 5. The interactive energy effect system of claim 1, wherein theuser-associated object comprises an RFID tag, retroreflective marker,optical transmitter, or any combination thereof.
 6. The interactiveenergy effect system of claim 5, wherein the user-associated objectwirelessly communicates position data and user information to the one ormore sensors.
 7. The interactive energy effect system of claim 1,wherein the multi-layer display system comprises an interior metal layeror sheet.
 8. The interactive energy effect system of claim 1, whereinthe user-associated object comprises a wand.
 9. A method of operating aninteractive energy effect system, the method comprising: receiving, viaa system controller, user-associated object position data; generating,via the system controller, instructions based on the position data;receiving the instructions at a movement controller; directing movementof an energy emitter based on the instructions; directing an emission ofenergy from the energy emitter based on the instructions; receiving, viaan additional movement controller, the instructions; and directing, viathe additional movement controller, movement of a multi-layer displaysystem to intercept the emission of energy at a predetermined locationbased on the position data.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein themulti-layer display system comprises an exterior layer, an intermediatelayer, and an interior layer.
 11. The method of claim 9, wherein themulti-layer display system can display user status, battle feedback, andany combination thereof.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein anintermediate layer of the multi-layer display system is composed of ametal material.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the multi-layerdisplay system can contain selectively conductive metal regions.
 14. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the energy emitter can move laterally along atrack.
 15. An interactive energy effect system, the interactive energyeffect system comprising: an energy emitter; a display system; and asystem controller configured to: receive, from one or more positionsensors, position data of a user or a user-associated object; generatefirst instructions to orient the energy emitter relative to the displaysystem based on the position data; receive updated position data of theuser or the user-associated object via the position sensors, wherein theupdated position data is indicative of a motion pattern performed by theuser or by the user-associated object; identify the motion pattern inthe position data; and generate second instructions based on theidentified motion pattern to cause the display system to move towardsthe user-associated object or away from the user-associated object. 16.The system of claim 15, wherein the first instructions cause the energyemitter to emit energy having a particular color.
 17. The system ofclaim 15, wherein the first instructions cause the energy emitter tomove in a lateral direction or in an orbital motion along a track. 18.The system of claim 15, wherein the second instructions cause thedisplay system to move in an up or down direction relative to the energyemitter.
 19. The system of claim 15, wherein the second instructionscause the display system to display media content based on theidentified motion pattern.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein mediacontent is selected based on a comparison of the identified motionpattern to a preset motion pattern to determine an accuracy of theidentified motion pattern.